Do you care about independent beer?

Personal politics plays into this for me, but the short answer is yes, I seek out independently owned breweries when I buy beer.

 

No. At the end of the day, do I like what I drink? On one hand, I’m sick of people bitching about bad local beer, yet that’s all independent. I like small ind. breweries. On the other hand, I’m not a snob, I like a Corona, a Coors, a whatever. I’m not a snob, I drink what I like. Yes I hate corporate takeover but my tastebuds rule my choices, and opinion does not control my tastes. Kind of a shitty, complicated answer but the bottom line is I make my own choices, I wish everyone else did.

 

I believe that independent brewers are more creative and innovative. I support them as much as I can.

 

My idea of "independent" wouldn't line up with the Brewer's Association very narrow use of the term. We're just not speaking the same language and I therefore can't really come down on any side of the fence. If Amazon bought 90% of Allagash, Allagash would still be "independent" in their view. Ditto if AB-InBev bought 24.9% of Allagash instead.

I understand the need for the BA to draw lines and serve the interests of a select group. That's what they are there for. It was clear that we'd see an evolution of their rhetoric due to the changing landscape of buyouts and beer styles. Do I care about who makes the beer I buy? Yes. But with regards to the term "independent," what we have here is more mythologizing, and I have no interest in buying into it.

 

I care about beer and will admit to gravitating toward beers from a place still owned by the founders or their descendants especially if it has been in family hands for generations. That's not to say I make it a rule or impose limitations on myself. Nor do I live by the rules of others for that matter.

 

I prefer to buy beer from independent breweries, but that won’t stop me from buying stuff I like from breweries that aren’t independent. If it is a good beer, I will buy it.

 

Yes and no. I only prefer to not buy from AB InBev because of their unethical practices that are documented, other than that I don't care who owns who.

 

Chris (@zid) pretty much summarizes my thoughts here. I recognize that the Brewers Association has an agenda here but as a beer consumer I personally do not buy into the specifics of the Brewers Association agenda.

Perhaps if there was a more 'appropriate' definition in place I might have differing thoughts?

In the meantime I will choose to drink the beers that I enjoy drinking.

Cheers!

 

"Big Beer" goes out if it's way to make it harder for "small beer" to get distributed, get shelf space and get tap space; they're also monopolizing ingredients; and intentionally working to confuse consumers about the origins of their beer.

This seems to be hurting the large, regional independent breweries the hardest -- to the point where some are either selling out to survive or beginning to go under. For now, smaller, direct-to-consumer breweries seem to have found a niche among certain beer drinkers who don't mind spending a lot of time and treasure to drink.

Whether these small guys are next on the chopping block, who can say? I likewise wonder what's going to happen to some of the more historic German, British and Belgian breweries over time.

Personally, I care enough to go out if my way to support independent breweries. Do I care enough where I won't buy at all from the bigger guys? Nope. At the end of the day, when you've got chocolate coming from child slaves and energy companies intentionally confusing people about global warming, it's hard for me to get as worked up about wanna be beer monopolies. But that doesn't mean beer lovers shouldn't support independent breweries where they can.

 

Yes and no. For the most part I will support independent breweries, or at least the ones that I am aware of being independent. However, sometimes those breweries do not make a product that meets my needs and in that case I will purchase from "big" beer. I, in part, make that exception because of breweries like Founders who are not independent.

 

Of course I care about independent breweries, the same way I care about all independent businesses. Why take my car to Midas when there's a better shop, owned by someone I see around town, just down the street.

Why give my money to Heineken, when there are several breweries down the street, who make equal, and usually better beer?

 

Cloudwater's list of Heineken's' crimes is more severe than any charges I've heard leveled against AB InBev...

http://cloudwaterbrew.co/blog/tough-calls-and-a-bigger-picture

What's your take on a more appropriate definition?

 

I posted my comment as a question:

Perhaps if there was a more 'appropriate' definition in place I might have differing thoughts?

If I put on my 'thinking cap' I could likely come up with a better definition than the Brewers Association's definition. Instead I am going to turn on the TV and watch the Phillies game as I drink an 'independently' brewed (i.e., homebrewed) Classic American Pilsner.

Cheers!

 

Your question was aimed at @JackHorzempa , but since he was agreeing with me, I'll chime in. It's not that I think that the BA's definition is lacking and in need of tweeking, I just don't think it's possible to actually define this as a black or white concept. It's more of a fundamental issue than an issue about the details. I'm sympathetic to the BA's need for making it this or that, but it doesn't mean that I have to subscribe to their mindset. This also doesn't mean that I want to put the blinders on and ignore any of the issues that you brought up as mattering to you in a previous post.

 

I support my local guys but I also drink what I enjoy. If I want some day old IPA from my local guy I snag it. Tomorrow if I want to sip Miller Light in the pool I do. Honestly everything has its place in life so I won't be so hard core as to limit myself. I think the key is having a mix on the topic, nothing wrong with supporting local business but you should never feel bad about drinking from the big guys. I had many a good time in life kicking back the big boys beer with friends.

Cheers

 

It's great that you have that option.
I continue to buy what I like...and a focus on "local" breweries is at the bottom of my list of prioritiies.

 

I too, buy what I like. And, what I like is supporting those who support me. I work for independent businesses, and support others in kind.

 

I do not care about the ownership interest in the company that brewed the beer I’m drinking , unless I have reason to care. There are currently no beers I can think of that I’d stop drinking based solely on the ownership structure.

I would say that quality and consistency are the two most important factors. I also care about a brewery’s approach to making beer. I’m attracted to breweries that have a mission, a philosophy, or whatever you may want to call it. When they come out with a beer, I understand why they made it and their intent. Most breweries don’t fall into this category, and the only two that immediately come to mind for me are DFH and Carton. These qualities are the result of strong leadership, and that attracts me as a consumer. I’m sure there are others out there.

If the ownership and lack of independence impact these elements I care about then the answer to the question is yes.